St. Clair County Resource Recovery Office

Household
Cleaners

Certain household cleaners can be an environmental hazard when disposed of improperly.
Others can be poured down a drain or flushed down a toilet connected to a sanitary
sewer without harming the environment. When disposing of these items, it's important
to know what you have in order to choose the correct disposal method.

This fact sheet provides instructions for household cleaners disposal. The St. Clair
County Resource Recovery Office also has fact sheets on how to dispose of other common types of household hazardous waste:

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS: USE THEM UP!
Although many household cleaning products can be disposed of at home, it is
better to use up leftover products than to wastefully throw them away. If you can't
use them, friends, relatives, neighbors and community organizations may have a use
for your leftovers.

DISPOSAL: When you can't use them up.
If you can't use a product up, find someone else to use it up, proper disposal depends
on the type of cleaning product. The first step is to decide what type of cleaning
product you have:

Solvent-based cleaners: Spot removers and some floor and car waxes, furniture
polishes, and degreasers are solvent-based cleaners. Look for these signal words
on the label: "Flammable", "Combustible", or "Contains Petroleum Distillates".

Once you have determined the type of cleaner you have, follow the disposal instructions
for that type of cleaner.

DISPOSAL:Solvent-containing cleaners.
Cleaners containing solvents should not be disposed of down a drain, in the trash
or down a toilet. Very small quantities of these cleaners-less than one cup (8 ounces)-can
be evaporated and disposed of in the trash following the instructions below.

Step 1: Find an outside area away form children and pets. A locked screen
porch or balcony will work well.

Step 2: Pour an absorbent material such as cat litter or sand into a cardboard
box lined with plastic.

Step 3: Mix the cleaner with the absorbent materials and the box into the
trash.

Step 4: When the cleaner has evaporated, you can throw the absorbent material
and the box into the trash.

Spot removers, because they contain chlorinated solvents, should not be evaporated
because inhaling the chemical can be a serious health hazard. Spot removers should
be disposed of following the instructions below.

DISPOSAL: Spot removers and larger amounts of solvent-based cleaners.
Spot removers and more than one cup of their solvent-based cleaners should be taken
to a household hazardous waste collection for proper disposal. Call the St. Clair
County Resource Recovery Office at (810) 985-2443 for collection dates and times.
Until then, store the cleaner carefully in an area away form children and pets as
well as sources of spars or flames.

DISPOSAL: Corrosive cleaners.
Very small quantities-less than one cup (8 ounces)-of corrosive household cleaners
in liquid form and toilet bow crystals can be flushed down the toilet with lots
of water if your house is connected to a sanitary sewer system. When flushing the
corrosive material, pour it very slowly and be extremely careful not to allow the
chemical to contact your skin or eyes. Wear rubber gloves, a long sleeve shirt,
long pants and goggles for eye protection.

If your house has a backyard septic tank, take small quantities of liquid corrosive
cleaners to a house that is connected to a sanitary sewer system for disposal.

Larger quantities of corrosive cleaners and solid forms of these cleaners-like drain
cleaner crystals-should be taken to a household hazardous waste collection for proper
disposal.

DISPOSAL: Other cleaners.
Cleaners that are not corrosive and do not contain solvents can be flushed into
a sanitary sewer system if they are liquid, or thrown in the trash if they are solid.
Never mix cleaners containing ammonia with those containing bleach-a very toxic gas will be produced.

ENVIORNMENTAL TIPS FOR CONSUMERS
Disposal of some household cleaners can be an environmental hazard. Other cleaners,
although not an environmental threat, are expensive. You can help protect St. Clair
County's environment and save money by being a smart consumer.

Use up leftover cleaners before you buy more.

Buy only the cleaners that you really need. You don't need a different cleaner for
each job.

Try using non-hazardous alternatives for household cleaner. Mixed with water, common
kitchen ingredients like vinegar or baking soda, are effective general-purpose cleaner.
The St. Clair County Resource Recovery Office has brochures with various alternative
recipes available upon request. Or check with your local library or bookstore for
further resources.

Please note: If you have a septic system, be advised that you should not dispose
of any household cleaners down the drain because of the risk of destroying the bacteria
that makes the system function instead, dispose of these non-hazardous liquid products
by taking them to a relative, neighbor or friend's house that is connected to a
sanitary sewer system.